February 23, 2007

Choosing the right preschool: know what’s best for your child

By Nadine Williams
Director of East Hills Preschool
Special to the Times

As springtime nears, so do the waves of questions parents begin asking themselves in selecting a preschool for their child.

This is the time of year I begin to get inundated with phone calls from inquiring parents wanting to make the best decision for their child’s first preschool. Here are some of the words of advice I always give, and I believe much of it is also relevant for parents choosing the right kindergarten and even elementary school for their child.

Educational philosophies and curriculum
Entering the process, parents should be aware of the basic educational philosophies implemented in most preschools. They are either play-based with a more social environment; academic and more structured; and some are a synthesis of these philosophies.

Parents should ask about the curriculum and if it includes early literacy skills. If a parent observes their preschooler showing interest in reading, looking at print and trying to figure it out, then an academic program might be the best option. However, if a child is put into this type of program prematurely, they could feel unsuccessful and that lack of self-esteem could linger with them hampering their future academic success.

Decide what kind of environment would be best for your child
In my 28+ years of experience, I have consistently seen that parents make the best decisions when basing them on their child’s individual needs. Realize that a school that is ideal for your best friend’s child may not be conducive for yours. A parent knows their child best and therefore they have the best insight into which type would contribute most to the growth and development of their child.

One criterion I am partial to, however, is the arts. Studies show that art and music are critical factors in human development and since 75 percent of the brain is developed during the first five years of life, I am a big believer that a good preschool curriculum should absolutely include music and movement exploration.
School visits

Once a parent narrows down their choices based on the basic factors - philosophy, fees, location, schedule - parents should do school visits.

Always be sure to schedule them instead of just showing up. Not only can drop-in visits be disruptive to a teacher’s planned schedule of activities but more importantly, they pose a safety issue. For the safety of the children, we set up observation visits after initial telephone contact.

Ask if you can bring your child to the appointment with you. This is a good way to quickly gauge how welcome a child is into their environment.

When you get there
Look at the cleanliness of the school, not necessarily if there’s uncluttered space, but is there organization or is it chaotic. Check if children’s own art is displayed as this indicates respect and affirmation of the children’s abilities. Observe how warm and inviting the environment feels and if students seem happy. Pay attention to if students look busy or bored, and if they are having positive interactions with each other and the teachers.

Pay attention to safety measures. Are bathrooms located in the classroom, is the playground an enclosed area, are there sign-in and sign-out procedures for adults dropping and picking up children?

Parents should ask about the student-to-teacher ratio and know that California state regulations are 12 students to every one teacher. Personally, I believe 8:1 is better because it enables for more one-on-one time.

Inquire about the school’s discipline policies and get a feel for how patient the teachers are and if they understand how long children take to learn rules. Make sure teachers clearly communicate daily expectations and that rules are based on ensuring a safe environment.

Request proof of teacher qualifications and ask how long the school has been in existence and if it is licensed. Ask about teacher turnover and even request a list of references.
After leaving the school

As you reflect on all the schools you’ve visited, ask yourself which environment would be most engaging for your child. Preschool is the beginning of your child’s academic journey. You want it to excite your child about the ideas of learning and school.

Trust your immediate gut feeling and know that the perfect place for your child is the one that is going to make him/her feel successful.

Nadine Williams is director of East Hills Preschool, located at 14845 Story Road, which has served Evergreen families since 1979. Call (408) 923-8616 with questions about this topic or to schedule a school tour.